First Time Build for CS5/Lightroom

ErinS

Distinguished
Jul 18, 2011
1
0
18,510
Hello,

First off, I'd like to thank the community out there for all of the knowledge I've gained in a week or so of lurking and searching the forum here. I'm a noob to this whole building-from-scratch thing and it's been quite an education.

I'm looking to build a desktop that will be dedicated almost exclusively to photo editing in CS5 and Lightroom (plus, you know, general net surfing and the like). I've searched the forum and just can't seem to find a recommended build that's along the lines of what I'm considering. I have no need to overclock and will only be doing modest AVCHD video editing.

BUDGET: <$1000 preferred, but I can be convinced to spend a bit more if warranted. (no peripherals needed)

CPU:
Intel i5-2500 - $210

Hard drives:
OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SSD for boot/OS/programs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550) - $120
and
Seagate Barracuda 2Tb 7200RPM 6.0Gb/s (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148506) - $150

MOBO:
ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131711) - $115

RAM (16Gb total):
2x [G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424) - $116

OS:
Windows 7 home premium - $100

Total = $811

I already have an optical DVD/RW and honestly can't see a need for Blu-Ray burner at the moment. I also have a 12-in-1 card reader that I'll be installing.

I could use a recommendation for a case and power supply.

I gave myself quite a headache trying to figure out which would provide more power for my applications, more RAM or an SSD that PS/CS5 could use for scratch. My photo editing workflow is centered around Lightroom with occasional CS5 use (but both programs are usually open). As I understand, LR does not use a scratch disk the way CS5 does, so 16Gb of RAM seemed like more bang for the buck compared to an SSD. Is there a consideration I haven't taken into account here?

My other concern is the onboard graphics on the H67 mobo: will this be sufficient for my purposes? I really only do "recreational" AVCHD video editing.

I truly appreciate any advice and recommendations!
 
CPU + PSU
i5 + PCP&S 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.691415

Gigabyte Z68 + 16GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689165

SSD- Check the newer ones, thought initially many reported firmware problems, but not it seems to be resolved,...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725
Or this
Crucial M4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

Video card - IMO getting one - even a cheaper one, would have a positive effect on performance in CAD apps,....
GT440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261106